Cable splice case expansion ring and system for splicing cable

ABSTRACT

An expansion ring for expanding the perimeter of a splice case end plate. The ring comprises two face plates and a rim connected to and separating the face plates, with an aperture through the face plates. The ring fits around the perimeter of the end plate, forming an air tight, environmental seal. Once in place, a splice case housing can be installed over the expanded end plate. The present invention also provides a method of expanding the perimeter of an end plate, a method of installing a larger splice case housing over a smaller end plate, and a splice case, each based on the end plate expansion ring, and a method for repairing a damaged cable line where the repair is interrupted in time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cable splice cases and, moreparticularly, to expansion rings for splice case end plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communication and electrical cable splices are protected fromenvironmental damage by housing in cable splice cases, which protectfrom moisture, humidity, corrosive environments and the like. Some cablesystems employ compressed air in the cables and splice cases to preventmoisture intrusion against the air flow. In these systems, forefficiency and economy, minimizing air loss is advantageous. Thus, cablesplice cases can be airtight as well as environmentally sealed.

A variety of cable splice cases are known. Typically, the cases includea cylindrical housing for containing the cable splice, and a pair ofcircular end plates that fit tightly into the ends of the housing,providing airtight, environmental seals. In one design, the splice caseis formed from two half-housings that are installed over suitablyprepared end plates.

Communication and electrical cables that extend through openings in theend plates must also be airtight and environmentally sealed against theopenings. Various means of sealing are known including compressiblecollars, O-rings and sealing tape.

A damaged cable line is usually repaired by replacing the entire damagedsection of cable lying between two contiguous splice cases. The splicecases are placed in separate manholes. Usually, emergency work restoresservice to customers before the damaged cable line has been replaced. Toreplace the cable, both splice cases must be opened and a new section ofcable installed. When replacement takes several days, the splice casesmust be closed and sealed at the end of each working day. During repair,both damaged and new sections of cable are present and both must beprotected by the contiguous splice cases. If the original splice casesare too small to accommodate both sections, larger splice cases must beemployed.

Currently, switching to a larger splice case involves replacing both endplates with new, larger end plates. Preparing a new end plate to receivecables in an airtight and environmentally sealed manner is a timeconsuming task. Further, after repair and removal of the damagedsection, the original, splice case (or one of similar dimensions) mustbe reinstalled due to space limitations in the manhole. Thus, bothlarger end plates must be changed back to smaller end plates, consumingadditional preparation time. Because two contiguous splice cases areinvolved, and four new end plates are prepared per splice case, in all,eight new end plates must be prepared during cable replacement.

Another problem caused by switching end plates back and forth is furtherdamage to the cables. The process of preparing cables to form air tight,environmental seals can introduce cable deformities, as can the processof installing and removing end plates from around cables. Cabledeformities increase the chance of air leaks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that eliminates the need toreplace one original end plate of each splice case when repairing adamaged cable line, thus decreasing the time required for cablereplacement and reducing possible cable damage during end platepreparation.

The present invention provides an expansion ring for expanding theperimeter of a splice case end plate. The ring comprises two face platesand a rim connected to and separating the face plates, with an apertureextending through the face plates. The ring is designed to fit aroundthe perimeter of the end plate by locating the end plate in theaperture, forming an air tight, environmental seal between end plate andring. Once the ring is in place, a larger splice case housing can beinstalled over the expanded end plate.

In a particular embodiment, the expansion ring is annular, comprisingtwo round face plates and a rim in between, with a round apertureextending through the face plates. The ring is designed to expand thediameter of round end plates typically used in cylindrical splice cases.

Also provided are a method of expanding the perimeter of a splice caseend plate and a method of installing a larger splice case. Both methodsutilize the expansion ring of the present invention.

Further, the present invention provides a splice case having two endplates and a housing, in which at least one end plate is an expanded endplate formed by placing an expansion ring around a smaller perimeter endplate. The housing and two end plates form an air tight, environmentallysealed chamber.

More particularly, a method is provided of repairing a damaged cableline wherein a damaged cable extends through a first end plate on oneside of a splice case to an undamaged cable extending through a secondend plate on the opposite side of the splice case, in which a pluralityof individual wires of the damaged cable are spliced a plurality ofindividual wires of the undamaged cable in the splice case. The methodcomprises: (1) opening the splice case to expose the spliced wires; (2)bringing the end of a replacement cable through a temporary, third endplate larger than said first end plate and which is formed withsufficient openings to separately encase the damaged cable, theundamaged cable, and a replacement cable; (3) placing an expansion ringon the second end plate, the expansion ring having a diametersubstantially the same as the diameter of the third end plate and formedwith an aperture therethrough adapted to receive the second end plate inan environmentally sealing relationship; (4) disconnecting some, but notall, of the spliced wires; (5) placing the damaged cable, undamagedcable partially connected to the damaged cable, and replacement cablepartially connected to the undamaged cable in a temporary splice case ofa size to form with the third end plate and expansion ring, andenvironmentally sealing relationship; and (6) thereafter, opening thetemporary splice case, finishing splicing remaining wires to completelyremove the damaged cable and completely connect the replacement cable tothe undamaged cable, then replacing the third end plate with the firstend plate, or with a same size substitute therefor, removing theexpansion ring, and placing the undamaged cable connected to thereplacement in the original splice case, or in a same size substitutetherefor, in an environmentally sealing relationship.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages will be better understood from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures, which are somewhat stylized for clearerpresentation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an expansion ring adjacent to a matching end plate;

FIG. 2 shows a 9.5″ diameter splice case with associated cables;

FIG. 3 shows a “damaged” cable at one end of a splice case;

FIG. 4 shows a splice case open, exposing a cable splice;

FIG. 5 shows a replacement cable adjacent to a splice case;

FIG. 6 shows an open section of replacement cable with individualconductors exposed;

FIG. 7 shows a new 12.5″ diameter end plate being prepared;

FIG. 8 shows an 12.5″ diameter end plate prepared to receive threecables;

FIG. 9 shows a 12.5″ diameter end plate installed over three cables;

FIG. 10 shows a 12.5″ diameter extension ring installed over a 9.5″diameter end plate;

FIG. 10A is a section on FIG. 10 showing a bolt connecting the sectionsof the expansion ring;

FIG. 11 shows a 12.5″ diameter splice case with associated cables;

FIG. 12 shows a 12.5″ diameter expanded end plate and a 12.5″ end platein place;

FIG. 13 shows a new 9.5″ diameter end plate in place with a 12.5″diameter extended end plate;

FIG. 14 shows a new 9.5″ diameter end plate in place with a 9.5″diameter end plate from which a 12.5″ diameter expansion ring has beenremoved; and

FIG. 15 shows a 9.5″ diameter splice case reinstalled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Splice cases can enclose various cable connection configurations, all ofwhich can be facilitated by the present invention. For ease ofreference, and consistency in the drawings, the present description willrefer to damaged and replacement cable as being on the left side of thesplice case, entering or emerging from the left end wall (left sidecable), with the undamaged cable on the right side of the splice case,entering or emerging from the right end wall (right side cable). Insimple configurations, the wires of one left side cable are spliced tothe wires of one right side cable. In some configurations, there will beonly one left side cable and one right side cable. In otherconfigurations, the wires in the cable on one side branch into two ormore cables, some wires from the other, single cable, being spliced towires in the two or more branched cables, for example when some of thewires are going to one building and others to another building. In stillother configurations, the wires in one left side cable will be splicedto wires in one right side cable, while the wires in one or more leftside cables will be spliced to wires in two or more right side branchcables, or vice-versa.

In the embodiment described in this specification and drawings, thereare two left side cables and two right side cables, with wires from eachleft side cable being spliced to the wires in two respective right sidebranch cables. The orientation of the drawings are consistent withdamage to one of the cables having occurred downstream from the leftside (in the drawings) of the splice case. No cables will be replaced onthe right side, but one of the cables on the left side will need to bereplaced. In this embodiment, once the splice case is opened, wires inthe damaged cable on the left side are disconnected from the wires intwo of the undamaged branch cables on the right side, a new cable isbrought in from the left side, and its wires branched and spliced to thewires from the corresponding undamaged branch cables on the right side.

The expansion ring has an annular circumference, and is formed with anannular aperture centrally located in the expansion ring for fittingaround and expanding the circular end plate of a first cylindricalsplice case to form an air tight, environmental seal with both the endplate and with a second, larger, splice case housing.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred expansion ring 10 of this inventioncomprises two circular face plates 12 and 14 connected to and separatedby a rim 16. The thickness 17 of the expansion ring 10 is defined by theouter surfaces of the face plates 12 and 14. A centrally located roundhole 18 for receiving a circular end plate 20 extends through both faceplates. When in place, the expansion ring 10 is positioned around thecircumference of the end plate 20, thereby expanding the diameter of theend plate 20. For ease of reference, an end plate 20 formed bypositioning an expansion ring 10 around a smaller end plate 20 is termedan “expanded” end plate.

The expansion ring 10 is precisely machined to fit over the end plate20. The expansion ring 10 can be formed from an end plate of the samediameter by cutting a hole therethrough to accommodate a smallerdiameter end plate. For example, the expansion ring can be formed froman end plate commercially available from Preformed Line Products Company(Cleveland Ohio); see U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,412, incorporated herein byreference. The surfaces forming the rim and face plates can bemanufactured from resistant material such as hard plastic. The expansionring 10 can be filled with a rigid material such as rigid polyurethanefoam.

The expansion ring 10 and end plate 20 form an airtight, environmentalseal. Methods to form such seals are well known in the art. Theexpansion ring 10 can be permanently or reversibly connected to the endplate 20. Preferably, the end plate 20 is reversibly connected.

The thickness of the expansion ring 10 can be any thickness sufficientto form an air tight, environmentally stable seal with a particular endplate 20 and splice case. Therefore, a suitable thickness can be lessthan, equal to, or greater than the thickness of the end plate 20. Inmost cases, the thickness will be equal to or greater than the endplate's thickness. Preferably, the thickness is equal to the thicknessof the end plate 20.

The rim and edges of the expansion ring face plates are adapted to forman airtight, environmental seal with a splice case housing. Theparticular adaptations, such as ridges and grooves on the rim surfaceand cut-outs on the face plates 12 and 14, depend on the specific sealdesign to be utilized with the housing and are well known in the art. Ina preferred embodiment, the expansion ring 10 forms an airtight,environmental seal with a cylindrical splice case housing commerciallyavailable from Preformed Line Products Company.

The expansion ring 10 is made of multiple sections, required since anintact expansion ring 10 cannot enable cables attached to an end plate20 to pass through. Although any number of sections are possible,expansion rings of two or three sections are preferred for convenience.Expansion ring sections can be joined to form an air tight,environmental seal by methods well known in the art. One method uses acement and a one-sided adhesive, or locking, tape such as thosecommercially available from Preformed Line Products Company, to providea seal at the joint between touching expansion ring 10 section surfacesand also between the existing end plate 20 and the expansion ring 10.Expansion ring sections can be held together by well known connectormeans such as bolts, screws, tape, adhesive, cables, clamps, pins, orcombinations thereof. Preferably, sections are held together by one ormore bolts, such as 21 in FIG. 10A.

In particular embodiments, expansion rings of this invention aredesigned to fit around commercially available 4.0″, 6.5″, or 9.5″diameter end plates such as those available from Preformed Line ProductsCompany. Expansion rings of this invention are adapted to fitcommercially available 6.5″, 9.5″ or 12.5″ diameter splice case housingssuch as those available from Preformed Line Products Company.

In a preferred embodiment, the expansion ring is designed to fit arounda 6.5″ diameter end plate and adapted to fit a 9.5″ diameter splice casehousing. Another preferred embodiment is an expansion ring designed tofit around a 9.5″ diameter end plate and adapted to fit a 12.5″ diametersplice case housing.

As previously described herein, cable repair currently requires thepreparation of eight new end plates. Preparing a new end plate isnormally a time consuming task involving careful and accurate drillingof holes for receiving cables passing through the end plate. Moreover,each time an end plate is changed, the associated cables must beprepared for air tight, environmental sealing against the end platesholes, a process that consumes additional time. The expansion ring 10 ofthe present invention can save time by reducing the number of new endplates required for cable repair.

FIGS. 2-15 illustrate a method of using the expansion ring 10 of thepresent invention. This series of figures presents a cable repair in aworking splice case 22. For convenience, only one splice case 22 isshown even though two splice cases are involved in cable replacement,one on each side of the damaged cable. The same replacement steps arecarried out with the second splice case. Splice cases were obtained fromPreformed Line Products Company.

FIG. 2 shows a 9.5″ diameter splice case 22 with all cables entering thesplice case 22 being spliced. In FIG. 3, one cable 24 of two cables 24and 26 at one end of the splice case 22 has been damaged somewhere downthe line.

To begin the repair, the housing of the splice case 22 is opened,exposing the cable splice, as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5, a replacementcable 25 has been placed adjacent to the exposed wires. A section ofreplacement cable 25 is opened to expose individual cable conductors, inpreparation for cable transfer, as shown in FIG. 6. Together, thereplacement cable section and the original cable splice would be toolarge to fit inside the original 9.5″ diameter splice case 22. Thus, alarger diameter splice case 28 (FIG. 11) is required. Here, a 12.5″diameter splice case 28 is utilized.

FIG. 7 shows a new 12.5″ diameter end plate 20 being prepared. Holes forreceiving the replacement cable and two original cables are accuratelydrilled into the new end plate 20 by employing a plate cutter apparatus,as is well known to the art. This end plate 20 replaces the 9.5″diameter end plate closest to the damaged cable.

FIG. 8 shows the prepared 12.5″ diameter end plate 20 with holes 31, 32,33 ready to receive the three cables, respectively the damaged cables24, the undamaged cable 26, and the replacement cable 25. FIG. 9 showsthe new 12.5″ diameter end plate 20 installed over the cables 24, 25, 26wherein wires in the replacement cable 25 will be spliced to wires inthe branch cables 37 and 39.

The opposite end plate 21 does not require an additional hole becausethe replacement cable does not pass through this end plate. Instead, thereplacement cable is spliced into the undamaged, original cable thatpasses through this end plate. Since no additional hole is required, theend plate 21 can be fitted with the expansion ring 10 of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 10, eliminating the time-consuming tasks ofpreparing a new end plate and preparing cable seals.

In FIG. 10, a 12.5″ diameter expansion ring 10 has been installed overthe original 9.5″ diameter end plate 21 to provide an expanded end platestructure 30. The cable will not be removed from the original end plate21. As shown in FIG. 10, part of the wires of the damaged cable 24 havebeen replaced by corresponding wires of the replacement cable 25. A12.5″ diameter splice case 28 is installed over the end plates to sealthe cables at the end of each working day, as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12shows the wiring on the last day wherein all the wires from thereplacement cable 25 have replaced the wires from the damaged cable 24,having been spliced to the wires going to the branch cables 37 and 39.

Once transfer is complete and the damaged cable has been trimmed out ofthe splice, the 9.5″ diameter splice case 22 (FIG. 15) must bereinstalled due to space limitations in the manhole. Reinstallationrequires the preparation of a new 9.5″ diameter end plate 40 to replacethe existing 12.5″ diameter end plate. FIG. 13 shows the new 9.5″ endplate 40 installed over the cables, including the replacement cable 25and undamaged cable 26 (the end plate 40 is rotated somewhat in thedrawing so that the cable openings are shown vertically aligned). At theother end of the splice, the expansion ring 10 is shown still in placeover the original 9.5″ end plate 20. In FIG. 14, the expansion ring 10has been removed, leaving the original 9.5″ end plate 20 intact. Tocomplete the repair, a torsion bar 42 is installed and the 9.5″ splicecase 22 housing is reinstalled, as shown in FIG. 15.

Use of the expansion ring 10 permits one of the two original end platesto remain intact. For this intact end plate, two new replacement endplates (one for moving to the 12.5″ slice case 28, one for moving backto the 9.5″ splice case 22) are eliminated. Given that two splice casesare involved, a total of four new end plates, out of eight end platesused by the prior art, are unnecessary when the expansion ring 10 isemployed. It takes approximately four man hours to replace an end plate.By eliminating four end plates, the expansion ring 10 can saveapproximately sixteen man hours during cable repair.

Another advantage of using the expansion ring 10 is that possible cabledamage is reduced because potential cable deformities introduced by endplate installation and removal are minimized by maintaining intact endplates.

1. In combination, an end plate for a splice case and an expansion ringfor expanding a perimeter of the end plate, the end plate having firstand second flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at least twoend plate sections, each end plate section having an edge, the edges ofsaid at least two end plate sections opposing and abutting each other inmating relationship whereby to define at least two apertures, eachthrough both sides of the end plate and through which cables can beinserted, the expansion ring being designed to fit around the end plateperimeter, the expansion ring having first and second flat coterminousopposite sides and formed of at least two expansion ring sections, eachexpansion ring section having an edge, the edges of said at least twoexpansion ring sections opposing and abutting each other in matingrelationship whereby to define at least one aperture through which thecad plate can be inserted, the first side of the expansion ring beingcoplanar with the first side of the end plate, and the second side ofthe expansion ring being coplanar with the second side of the end plate.2. The combination of claim 1 in which the expansion ring is adapted tofit a cylindrical splice case housing.
 3. The combination of claim 2 inwhich the expansion ring is annular.
 4. The combination of claim 1 inwhich the mated end plate is circular and the expansion ring aperture isreceives the circular end plate.
 5. The combination of claim 4 in whichthe expansion ring aperture is a round hole.
 6. The combination of claim1 in which the expansion ring aperture receives the end plate in anenvironmentally sealing and air tight relationship.
 7. In combination, acircular end plate for a splice case and an annular expansion ring forexpanding the diameter of the end plate, the end plate having first andsecond flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at least two endplate sections, each end plate section having an edge, the edges of saidat least two end plate sections opposing and abutting each other inmating relationship whereby to define at least two apertures, eachthrough both sides of the end plate and through which cables can beinserted, the expansion ring being designed to circumferentiallysurround the end plate, the expansion ring having first and second flatcoterminous opposite sides and formed of at least two expansion ringsections, each expansion ring section having an edge, the edges of saidat least two expansion ring sections opposing and abutting each other inmating relationship whereby to define at least one aperture throughwhich the end plate can be inserted, the expansion ring comprising twocircular face plates and a rim connected to and separating the faceplates, the aperture in the expansion ring receiving the circular endplate in an environmentally sealing relationship, the first side of theexpansion ring being coplanar with the first side of the end plate, andthe second side of the expansion ring being coplanar with the secondside of the end plate.
 8. A method of expanding the perimeter of an endplate of a splice case, the end plate having first and second flatcoterminous opposite sides and formed of at least two end platesections, each end plate section having an edge, the edges of said atleast two end plate sections opposing and abutting each other in matingrelationship whereby to define at least two apertures, each through bothsides of the end plate and through which cables can be inserted, themethod comprising: providing an expansion ring having first and secondflat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at least two expansionring sections, each expansion ring section having an edge, the edges ofsaid at least two expansion ring sections opposing and abutting eachother in mating relationship whereby to define at least one aperturethrough which the end plate can be inserted, the aperture receiving theend plate in an environmentally sealing relationship by positioning theexpansion ring around the perimeter of the end plate; the first side ofthe expansion ring being coplanar with the first side of the end plate,and the second side of the expansion ring being coplanar with the secondside of the end plate.
 9. The method of claim 8 in which the expansionring is an annular ring.
 10. The method of claim 8 in which the apertureis a round hole.
 11. A method of expanding a diameter of a circular endplate of a splice case, the end plate having first and second flatcoterminous opposite sides and formed of at least two end platesections, each end plate section having an edge, the edges of said atleast two end plate sections opposing and abutting each other in matingrelationship whereby to define at least two apertures, each through bothsides of the end plate and through which cables can be inserted, themethod comprising: providing an annular expansion ring having first andsecond flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at least twoexpansion ring sections, each expansion ring section having an edge, theedges of said at least two expansion ring sections opposing and abuttingeach other in mating relationship whereby to define at least oneaperture through which the end plate can be inserted and comprising twocircular face plates and a rim connected to and separating the faceplates, the expansion ring receiving the end plate in an environmentallysealing relationship by positioning the expansion ring around thecircumference of the end plate, the first side of the expansion ringbeing coplanar with the first side of the end plate, and the second sideof the expansion ring being coplanar the second side of the end plate.12. A method of installing a larger splice case housing around an endplate sized to fit a smaller splice case housing, the end plate havingfirst and second flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at leasttwo end plate sections, each end plate section having an edge, the edgesof said at least two end plate sections opposing and abutting each otherin mating relationship whereby to define at least two apertures, eachthrough both sides of the end plate and through which cables can beinserted, the method comprising the steps of: expanding the perimeter ofthe end plate by encircling it with an expansion ring having first andsecond flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at least twoexpansion ring sections, each expansion ring section having an edge, theedges of said at least two expansion ring sections opposing and abuttingeach other in mating relationship whereby to define at least oneaperture through which the end plate can be inserted, the first side ofthe expansion ring being coplanar with the first side of the end plate,and the second side of the expansion ring being coplanar with the secondside of the end plate; and installing the larger splice case housingaround the expanded end plate in an environmentally sealing manner. 13.The method of claim 12 in which the expansion ring comprises two faceplates and a rim connected to and separating the face plates, and havingan aperture extending through the face plates, the aperture receivingthe end plate in an environmentally sealing relationship.
 14. The methodof claim 13 in which the expansion ring is an annular ring and the faceplates are circular face plates.
 15. The method of claim 13 in which theexpansion ring aperture is a round hole.
 16. The method of claim 13 inwhich the aperture receives the end plate in an airtight relationship.17. The method of claim 12 in which the installing step furthercomprises installing the larger housing around the expanded end plate inan airtight manner.
 18. A method of installing a cylindrical splice casehousing around a circular end plate of smaller diameter, the end platehaving first and second flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of atleast two end plate sections, each end plate section having an edge, theedges of said at least two end plate sections opposing and abutting eachother in mating relationship whereby to define at least two apertures,each through both sides of the end plate and through which cables can beinserted, the method comprising: expanding the diameter of the end plateby positioning an annular expansion ring around the circumference of theend plate, the expansion ring having first and second flat coterminousopposite sides and formed of at least two expansion ring sections, eachexpansion ring section having an edge, the edges of said at least twoexpansion ring sections opposing and abutting each other in matingrelationship whereby to define at least one aperture through which theend plate can be inserted, the expansion ring aperture receiving thecircular end plate in an airtight, environmentally sealing relationship,the first side of the expansion ring being coplanar with the first sideof the end plate, and the second side of the expansion ring beingcoplanar with the second side of the end plate; and installing thesplice case housing around the expanded end plate in an airtight,environmentally sealing manner.
 19. A splice case comprising: twosimilarly dimensioned end plates, each of the end plates having firstand second flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at least twoend plate sections, each end plate section having an edge, the edges ofsaid at least two end plate sections opposing and abutting each other inmating relationship whereby to define at least two apertures, eachthrough both sides of the end plate and through which cables can beinserted, at least one end plate being an expanded end plate, theexpanded end plate comprising an expansion ring and an end plate smallerin perimeter than the expanded end plate, the expansion ring havingfirst and second flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at leasttwo expansion ring sections, each expansion ring section having an edge,the edges of said at least two expansion ring sections opposing andabutting each other in mating relationship whereby to define at leastone aperture through which the smaller end plate can be inserted, thesmaller end plate being formed of at least two sections that mate todefine said at least one aperture through which the cable can beinserted, the first side of the expansion ring being coplanar with thefirst side of the end plate, and the second side of the expansion ringbeing coplanar with the second side of the end plate; and a housingreceiving each of the two similarly dimensioned end plates in anenvironmentally sealing relationship such that an enclosed chamber formstherebetween.
 20. The splice case of claim 19 in which the similarlydimensioned end plates are circular end plates of similar diameter. 21.The splice case of claim 19 in which the housing is a cylindricalhousing.
 22. The splice case of claim 19 in which the housing receivesthe similarly dimensioned end plates in an airtight relationship.
 23. Acylindrical splice case comprising: two circular end plates of similardiameter, each of the end plates having first and second flatcoterminous opposite sides and formed of at least two end platesections, each end plate section having an edge, the edges of said atleast two end plate sections opposing and abutting each other in matingrelationship whereby to define at least two apertures, each through bothsides of the end plate and through which cables can be inserted, atleast one end plate being an expanded end plate, the expanded end platecomprising an annular expansion ring and a circular end plate of smallerdiameter than the expanded end plate, the expansion ring having firstand second flat coterminous opposite sides and formed of at least twoexpansion ring sections, each expansion ring section having an edge, theedges of said at least two expansion ring sections opposing and abuttingeach other in mating relationship whereby to define at least oneaperture through which the smaller end plate can be inserted, thesmaller end plate being formed of at least two sections that mate todefine said at least one aperture through which the cable can beinserted, the first side of the expansion ring being coplanar with thefirst side of the end plate, and the second side of the expansion ringbeing coplanar with the second side of the end plate; and a cylindricalhousing receiving each of the two circular end plates of similardiameter in an airtight, environmentally sealing relationship such thatan enclosed chamber forms therebetween.